February 25, 2025
Both Matthew 18 and Luke 15 record Jesus’ parable about a shepherd who leaves 99 sheep in the fold to go in search of one that had wandered away… “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish” (Matthew 18:12–14).
The people of Jesus’ day understood the relationship between shepherds and sheep, but the significance of a shepherd going in search of one lost sheep is sometimes lost on us. It seems strange that a shepherd would leave his flock to search for one missing sheep. …
God does not abandon the 99. They are already safely in His kingdom, attended by His angels, and guided by His Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14; Hebrews 13:5). But His heart aches for those not yet in the fold… The 99 are still important to Him, but He knows the flock is not complete without the lost sheep. And a good shepherd always goes after the lost sheep.—GotQuestions.org1
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Occasionally, a ewe will give birth to a lamb and reject it. There are many reasons she may do this. If the lamb is returned to the ewe, the mother may even kick the poor animal away. Once a ewe rejects one of her lambs, she will never change her mind.
These little lambs will hang their heads so low. Their spirits are broken. These lambs are called “bummer lambs.” Unless the shepherd intervenes, these lambs will die, rejected and alone.
So, do you know what the shepherd does?
He takes that rejected little one into his home, hand-feeds it, and keeps it warm by the fire. He will wrap it up with blankets and hold it to his chest so the lamb can hear his heartbeat. Once the lamb is strong enough, the shepherd will place it back in the field with the rest of the flock.
But that sheep never forgets how the shepherd cared for him when his mother rejected him. When the shepherd calls for the flock, guess who runs to him first? That’s right, the bummer sheep. He knows the shepherd’s voice intimately.
It is not that the bummer lamb is loved more, it just knows intimately the one who loves it and has experienced that love personally.
So many of us are bummer lambs, rejected and broken. But Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He cares for our every need and holds us close to His heart so we can hear His heartbeat.
I am a bummer lamb adopted and loved by the Good Shepherd!! Hallelujah!!—Author unknown
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“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them” (John 10:27)
Jesus knows those who are his. What is this knowledge?
John 10:3 is a close parallel to John 10:27. It says, “The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”
So, when Jesus says, “I know them,” this means at least that he knows them by name; that is, he knows them individually and intimately. They are not anonymous, lost in the flock.
John 10:14–15 provides another insight: “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father.”
There is a real similarity between the way Jesus knows his Father in heaven and the way he knows his sheep. Jesus sees himself in the Father, and he sees himself in his disciples.
To some degree Jesus recognizes his own character in his disciples. He sees his own brand mark on the sheep. This endears them to him. …
The apostle Paul puts it like this: “God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are his’” (2 Timothy 2:19).
It is hard to overemphasize what a tremendous privilege it is to be known personally, intimately, lovingly by the Son of God. It is a precious gift to all his sheep, and it contains within it profound, personal fellowship and affection and the promise of eternal life.—John Piper2
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The Lord is my shepherd.—That’s relationship.
I shall not want.—That’s supply.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures.—That’s rest.
He leads me beside the still waters.—That’s refreshment.
He restores my soul.—That’s spiritual healing.
He leads me in the paths of righteousness… —That’s guidance.
… for His name’s sake.—That’s purpose.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death… —That’s tribulation.
… I will fear no evil… —That’s protection.
… for You are with me.—That’s faithfulness.
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.—That’s discipline.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.—That’s hope.
You anoint my head with oil, my cup runs over.—That’s abundance.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.—That’s blessing.
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord…—That’s security.
… forever.—That’s eternity.
—Psalm 23, David the psalmist, with comments by an unknown author
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You are precious in My sight. Even the very hairs of your head are numbered. I know your heart and your thoughts. I want you to know that I am right beside you. I am a constant help in time of trouble. Never think or feel that you are alone, for My presence is always with you, and My Spirit will help you.
Come to Me, casting aside your cares and worries. My love for you is without measure, without end, without boundaries, eternal. Keep your eyes steadfast on Me. Be reassured in your heart that I am with you always, holding your right hand.
Spend time with Me, and you will be refreshed and strengthened and inspired. I am close to the brokenhearted and rescue those whose spirits are crushed. Trust in My love for you. Don’t look at the obstacles you find in your path that might discourage you, slow you down, or even stop you. Look unto Me, for I will never let you down. I will never fail you.
Let your heart be filled with My love and joy and peace. You are Mine forever, and nothing will separate you from My love.—Jesus
Published on Anchor February 2025. Read by Reuben Ruchevsky. Music by John Listen.
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